Recently a number of people have shown interest in learning or improving their SRT skills, so we've done some research and come up with a suggestion- SRT training days! We've contacted an outdoor instructor who is qualified to teach SRT (so you won't be taught bad habits!!) who's based in the Conwy Valley.

We're looking at doing two sets of SRT training, one for complete beginners - this would involve a days training at a climbing wall and a day underground, and a refreshers/improvers session which would be one long day combining both a climbing wall and a short underground trip.

There's a cost involved of £120/day for a maximum of four people. So the two day beginners course would be £60 each, based on a group of four and the improvers one day course £30 each. Depending on the date there may also be an access fee to the climbing wall.

Ideally you need to have your own SRT kit (the instructor has one spare set).

I need to establish what interest there is in doing this, so , please reply if you're interested and state what level beginner or refresher you'd be interested in. We can arrange dates to suit when I know firm numbers.


We're only looking at doing this in North Wales at the moment. If there's demand elsewhere we may look into arranging something more locally.

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Subject to the usual NewStuff caveats of Transport and Notice, so I can book the day off, then it sounds good to me.

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The BCA used to provide grants for SRT training - have you explored if nothing else there were several SRT kits available for use with Training

Mike

Well I would certainly be up for a bit of training to improve my technique & not be worn out after each accent. How do I judge if i'm a complete beginner/novice or just need to improve my ways :smartass:

...Lister

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I'd be interested.
Did plenty of SRT in the 80s but need a refresher... ::) 😉

Do you normally use the Frog method or have things moved on?

One has to be honest about SRT ( Silly Rope Technique)
Is one a young fit tiger? 😮
Or are we an old fat git? :curse:

When I started with it, we used a Yorkshire variant: SRD




Sling a Rope Down

::)

When I started with it, we used a Yorkshire variant: SRD

Sling a Rope Down

::)

Or ................ you could try this

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/236055/2002_mexico_cave_base_jumps/ 

😮 😮 😮

Well I would certainly be up for a bit of training to improve my technique & not be worn out after each accent. How do I judge if i'm a complete beginner/novice or just need to improve my ways :smartass:

...Lister

Hi Lister,
when we know who's interested we'll work out who's at the same level for beginners/ refreshers. It's small groups so hopefully we'll be able to put people to gether at the same level.

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depending on when, i'd be interested, probably in the refresher day. i need to get hanging rebelays sussed.

Sinker, as for getting SRT kit - try the harness on before you buy stuff! i was very glad i did. i tried lots on and then dangled around from rope slung in a tree. some of the harnesses were too uncomfy to walk to the tree easily. i soon discovered how valuable the time spent choosing was when i got stuck getting off the top of a pitch, and just had to sit there hanging for what seemed like ages waiting for somebody to come help me. my bum would have been very sore had i had gone for the cheapest but uncomfy one that came with the basic SRT kits. but then the cheapest one may be the most comfy for you

For £30 I'm interested in a refresher!

It would help if I said what it was I was interested in. A refresher would be the one for me.

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The function of an SRT harness is slightly different to that of a tree surgeon: there's a lot less 'sitting around' and a lot more walking done in an SRT harness.

Get yourself to the nearest caving shop and sit around in a few different harnesses, sinker.
Although you won't get long sitting in each, it'll give you an idea as to which one is most comfortable.

As for walking around in full SRT gear: when properly set up, you can't actually stand upright. So you have to disengage the bottom link on your chest jammer. A proper SRT harness will allow this without too much faffing about.

Hi guys,
everyone who's put themselves up for this seems to be in the 'intermediate' category. So it looks as though we're going to have two group doing the same thing. I've therefore split everyone who's put their names forward into the two groups below. If anyone else is interested, there's still space for two other people. Groups are completely arbitrary, so if you want to swap among yourselves...do!

Group 1
Sinker
Newstuff
Earth worm jim

Group 2
Driod
Ogof addict
Lister

I need you to agree between yourselves a day that everyone in your group can do and let me know what it is. I'll then get in touch with Gethin and sort it out.

PLEASE NOTE: due to the groups being 3 people not 4, the cost will reflect this and be £40 each.

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I'm easy as to days, but if it's a Saturday I'd need a few weeks' notice to book time off work. 🙂

sorry to upset your planning, im up for the refresure one

If it's the back end of April, I'll book a Lieu day, but this needs to be booked in advance, and I can't change it. Let me know, and unless loads of people have holidays booked, it should be fine.

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sorry to upset your planning, im up for the refresure one

That's fine we'll add you into Group 1. Can you make sure you're happy with the days they're suggesting.

Does anyone else want to take the last place?

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Serious Technical Problem with Petzel sit Harness.

I see to have found a very serious problem with my very colourful and hardly used Petzel sit harness.

Last time I used it 8 years ago it was perfect.

tried it on last week and it wouldnt do up!!!.

Seems that over time, the nylon material it is made of has shrunk!!.

Has enyone else encountered this serious design problem??

:confused: :angel: :ohmygod:

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